Discover rare dolls at Echuca Moama Show!

Each year the show gives back to the community by making a donation to a community group.

“Last year, we donated funds to the Food Bank at the Echuca Neighbourhood House,” Ms Baxter said.

“It is likely that we will be doing the same this year

“In the past, the funds raised have been donated to the likes of the SES, CFA, a local shelter.”

Ms Baxter and Mrs Walsh have more than six decades of experience in doll-making to share with people.

Ms Baxter said a wide range of dolls and bears would be on display, as well as doll stalls, old toys and craft items for sale.

“There are vintage dolls, porcelain-made dolls,” she said.

“There will be newborn dolls made of vinyl-like material to make them appear like real babies.

“They are even using newborn dolls like this now in the movies instead of real babies.

“They are used in age-care homes, as nursing them gives the residents comfort.”

Sadly, Betty, the president of the Echuca Doll Club, passed away around Christmas, and her family has asked the club to find homes for her dolls.

There will be a table set up, with Betty’s collection for sale, and as she was a supporter of the Fred Hollows Foundation, that’s where any money from sales at the table will go.

Ms Baxter welcomes everyone from the community to the Echuca Doll Show but understands that the dolls and bears may be tempting for little hands to touch.

“Even though parents do their best to keep sticky fingers off the dolls, sometimes little fingers can’t help themselves,” Ms Baxter said.

“To overcome this, we will set up a kiddies’ corner in the competition room with some toys, maybe some newborn dolls, for the children to play with.”

Echuca Moama Doll and Bear Show at the Echuca Uniting Church Hall, 115 Hare St, Echuca, on Saturday, July 27 from 9.30am to 4pm.

Admission is $6 for adults, $5 concession, and $2 for a child. Children under six are free.

Inquiries to Kathleen on 0456 715 750 or Liz on 0416 049 038.